Murder suspect: Suicide threat preceded father's slaying

Published: Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 04:34 PM.

“He’s a risk to himself and in addition to that, he’s a risk to the community,” said Hamlin.

Hamlin asked Sumner to keep Patel in jail without bond, but that if he granted bond to set it at $1 million.

Prosecutors haven’t decided if they will seek the death penalty, and Patel is a flight risk, said Hamlin. Patel knows people in Virginia. He could flee there or use his passport to take off to India, she said.

Sumner could make a decision on bond Friday.

Ratchford said he wasn’t ready to announce the strategy of his defense but that Patel was also dealing with some childhood trauma.

Ashwin Patel and his family were known in the community. He ran the convenience store, and his wife operated a Laundromat in Mount Holly.

Patel’s wife was out of town when the killing occurred. She has not been in contact with her son’s attorney.

Jiten Ashwin Patel told police he was arguing with his father when his father put a gun to his own head. The two were struggling over the gun when it fired, striking the father, Jiten Ashwin Patel told police after his arrest, according to a prosecutor in the case.

But rather than seeking help for his father, Ashwin Patel, the son put three more shots into his father’s head, killing the convenience store owner at his Mount Holly home on Jan. 11, according to new details that emerged in a court hearing Wednesday.

Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Hamlin gave new details about the case Wednesday during a bond hearing for the 28-year-old Jiten Ashwin Patel.

One of Ashwin Patel's gun shot wounds came at such close range it left a muzzle impression on the elder Patel’s temple, Hamlin said.

Jiten Patel then left a note with the body saying that his father was in a better place and that he intended to kill himself, Hamlin said.

But before leaving the house, Patel stripped jewelry off his father’s body, said Hamlin. He then left the house and broke into his father’s business, the BP gas station on N.C. 16 in Mount Holly.

Patel ransacked the store then eluded police for 12 hours before an officer recognized his gold Toyota Camry on an I-85 exit ramp in Gastonia.

Patel had a firearm in the car with him when he was picked up, Hamlin said.

The younger Patel appeared in court with his attorney, Brent Ratchford.

Ratchford said his client has had a long battle with cocaine and alcohol addiction. He had been sober but suffered a setback right around when the incident occurred, Ratchford said.

“As with addiction, sometimes those monsters come back to grab you,” said Ratchford.

Ratchford asked Judge Robert Sumner to set a $100,000 bond for his client, who has been held without bond on the first-degree murder charge.

Sumner said he would have to see a report on a mental health evaluation Patel underwent before making a decision on bond.

Deputies placed Patel on suicide watch after his arrest.

“He’s a risk to himself and in addition to that, he’s a risk to the community,” said Hamlin.

Hamlin asked Sumner to keep Patel in jail without bond, but that if he granted bond to set it at $1 million.

Prosecutors haven’t decided if they will seek the death penalty, and Patel is a flight risk, said Hamlin. Patel knows people in Virginia. He could flee there or use his passport to take off to India, she said.

Sumner could make a decision on bond Friday.

Ratchford said he wasn’t ready to announce the strategy of his defense but that Patel was also dealing with some childhood trauma.

Ashwin Patel and his family were known in the community. He ran the convenience store, and his wife operated a Laundromat in Mount Holly.

Patel’s wife was out of town when the killing occurred. She has not been in contact with her son’s attorney.

Patel also faces charges of breaking and entering and larceny in the case.

You can reach reporter Diane Turbyfill at 704-869-1817 and twitter.com/GazetteDiane.